Built To Go! A #Vanlife Podcast

290 Solar Awnings, Pet Sitting, Saw All, RMSS, SMart Car

You could have an awning that provides shade. But since it's blocking the sun anyway, why can't it generate power too? We investigate. We also take a look at an interesting opportunity to sleep under a roof, review a saw that does it all, look at some space junk, and get up close and personal with some major infrastructure.
Alloy? Annoy.
 
NEWS
Jalopnik: Vanlife Isn’t Cheaphttps://www.jalopnik.com/2111425/van-life-costs/
TECH TALK
Commercial Chef 0.6 Cu. Ft. 700W CHM660Whttps://amzn.to/4upataK
Panasonic 1.2 cu. ft. Inverter Microwave 1250W - NN-SN68QB (Renewed)https://amzn.to/3N9U9Kf
PRODUCT REVIEW
WORX Cordless Reciprocating Saw & Jigsaw, Battery and Charger Included, PowerSharehttps://amzn.to/47Eihvj
 
A PLACE TO VISIT
Rocky Mountain Star Starehttps://rmss.org
RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION
Trusted Pet Sittershttps://www.trustedhousesitters.com/
FCC Notice: If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way.  

289 An interview with RV Tech Sherm of the The Green Machine

Something special this week, an hour-long interview with Sherm, a fellow vanlifer who masquerades as an RV Tech during the day. We chat about a variety of topics, including the difference between an RV and a campervan, mice, greasy leather seats, the most essential tool, different oil leaks, and how to find someone to work on your rig. 
If you'd like more of Sherm, you're in luck: he'll be joining us on a future episode for a very different topic, but in the meantime, you can find him below:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@greenmachine.77/ Sherm is recreating a masterpiece here, and it's very, very green.
InstaGram: https://www.instagram.com/greenmachine.77
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@greenmachine.77
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1U2fSTHzeg/?mibextid=wwXIfr
 
 

288 Which Vanlifer are You, Diesel Tank, Solar Panel Voltage, Bishops Castle

If you need help, do you ask for it? Or do you help yourself? Can you do both? We'll explore. We'll also take a trip to Bishops Castle, explore diesel heater tanks, find water everywhere, and hear a tale about an old friend
A tour of a 1977 Chinook, very similar to mine.
 
NEWS
Rocky Mountain Star Star (RMSS) June 10-14, 2026 in Gardner, COhttps://www.rmss.org
DEF Delete?https://www.truckinginfo.com/news/justice-department-pulls-back-on-criminal-prosecution-of-diesel-emissions-delete
PRODUCT REVIEW
Vevor 400 watt portable panels (They seem to be out of stock!)200 watt version: https://amzn.to/4seL6GP
A PLACE TO VISIT
Bishop's Castlehttps://www.bishopscastle.com
FCC Notice: If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way.  

Bonus Again! A VanFest Conversation

Hello folks - I'm going to release all the VanFest content as "Bonus" episodes, which just means it doesn't follow the normal format. I've a few more interview episodes that will air in the coming weeks, and your feedback is always welcome! In this episode, I have a chat with three women who are all living on the road in their own way, and have different perspectives on why they're out there, and how solo vanlife meshes with gatherings like Vanfest.Links:
VanFestUSAhttps://www.vanfestusa.com
Skoolie Swarmhttps://www.skoolieswarm.com 
QueenKee Books by Lakeesha Martin: https://amzn.to/4rhRjl7IG: MakingQueenMoves

Bonus! Vanfest, and what to do when everything goes wrong.

Hello! Just a big long story this week as I recover from "things" that have been happening these past couple of weeks. 
 
Be it ever so humble, there's no place like "van."
Vanfesthttps://www.vanfestusa.com
 
 
 

287 Best Vanlife Apps-ish, an overlooked resource, Toadstool Geology, Strange Electronics

The best apps for vanlife aren't apps! We'll explain. We'll also try an induction cooktop, visit another planet, consider the oldest tool ever found, turn lights into fans, and hear a tale of lost youth. NOT me. Ever.
VANLIFE WEBSITES:
•iOverlander — https://www.ioverlander.com
•Campendium — https://www.campendium.com
•FreeCampsites — https://www.freecampsites.net
•Recreation.gov — https://www.recreation.gov•CellMapper — https://www.cellmapper.net
•US Forest Service Travel — https://apps.fs.fed.us/TravelAccess/
•Google Maps (Web) — https://maps.google.com
•Google My Maps — https://www.google.com/mymaps
•Ventusky (Weather Maps & Forecast Visualization) — https://www.ventusky.com
•OpenSignal (Cell Coverage & Signal Maps) — https://www.opensignal.com
•ChatGPT (Free AI via Web) — https://chat.openai.com
•AAA Gas Prices — https://gasprices.aaa.com
 
PRODUCT REVIEW
Vevor 400 watt portable panels
A PLACE TO VISIT
Toadstool Geologic Parthttps://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/nebraska/recreation/toadstool-geological-park-and-campground
FCC Notice: If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way.  

286 Pets on the Road, Portable Solar, Loves Camping, Frozen Pipes

Hitting the road with your canine companion? Excellent! But there are things to consider, and we consider them. We'll also review a new type of portable solar panel, camping at Loves, defrosting pipes, and being dragged into the world.
I did actually sleep in this thing. 
PRODUCT REVIEW
Vevor 400 watt portable panelshttps://amzn.to/49M7Ar3
Direct from Vevor:https://www.vevor.com/solar-panels-c_13594/vevor-400w-foldable-solar-panel-with-frame-16bb-n-type-monocrystalline-solar-panel-charger-24-efficiency-ip67-waterproof-with-mc4-output-10-in-1-dc-adapter-for-power-stations-camping-hiking-trips-p_010143922897?lang=en&currency=usd&utm_source=inhouse&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=42492674&shortkey=20260121qTmy
RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION
Camping at Loveshttps://www.camplife.com/campground/Loves+RV+Stops
FCC Notice: If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way.  

285 Lonelieness, New Heater, RV Shows, Ghost Town, Battleborn

There's a connection between loneliness and vanlife. But it goes both ways, and AI can play a role. We'll also visit RV Shows, get spooked, take a stab at the "goldfish problem," and examine a new heater. 
Aurora NV, 1870
Aurora NV, 2019 (find the van!)
NEWS
Battle Born Batteries Bad
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=will+prowse+battleborn+batteries
PRODUCT REVIEW
VESTA Self-Powered Indoor Space Heater and Stove (Compact, Off-Grid, Emergency)https://www.walmart.com/ip/New-InstaFire-Vesta-Self-Powered-Indoor-Outdoor-Portable-Heater-Stove-off-Grid-Camping/2147948783?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=101303631
Heat Powered Fanhttps://amzn.to/4sKZDeu
Canned Heathttps://amzn.to/4pzQDFZ
A PLACE TO VISIT
RV Showshttps://www.gorving.com/get-started/rv-shows-events
RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION
FairyTale Tiny Househttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtGmjgKr3YI
FCC Notice: If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way.